Patient Education

Medications

Cosopt®

Generic name

Concentration

Mechanism of action

This is a combination drug with a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (dorzolamide) and a beta blocker (timolol). Dorzolamide helps reduce pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure) by decreasing fluid (aqueous humor) production. Timolol lowers intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor production and increasing drainage.

Indications

Treatment of open angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

Dosage

Instill one drop of Cosopt ophthalmic solution into the affected eye(s) two times daily.

Use with caution in patients with/during:

Timolol should NOT be used in patients with preexisting cardiac disease, such as severe bradycardia, advanced AV block, cardiogenic shock, coronary artery disease, vasospastic angina, or congestive heart failure, particularly those with severe left ventricular dysfunction.

Asthma or pulmonary disease (COPD, emphysema, bronchitis)

Diabetes mellitis because it can mask symptoms of hypoglycemia

Hyperthyroidism because it may mask tachycardia

Using an oral beta blocker

Renal impairment or severe renal disease (with a creatinine clearance less than 30 milliliters per minute)

Hepatic disease

Raynaud's disease or peripheral vascular disease

Myasthenia gravis

Sulfonamide hypersensitivity

Psoriasis

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, or in children

Common Side Effects

Eye itching

Taste changes

Ocular burning and/or stinging

Blurred vision

Life-Threatening Symptoms

Chest pain

Angioedema (swelling of the lips, eyes, or tongue)

Difficulty breathing

Less Common to Rare Side Effects

Dizziness

Nausea

Stomach or back pain

Upper respiratory infection

Cloudy vision

Headache

Eyelid edema (swelling of the eyelids due to fluid accumulation)

Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the conjunctiva)

Hypertension (high blood pressure)

Dry eyes

Cough

Conjunctival edema (swelling of the conjunctiva due to fluid accumulation)

Corneal erosion or staining

Upset stomach

Eye pain, tearing, or discharge

Increased bleeding

Notes

Dorzolamide is a sulfonamide and has may cause a severe allergic reaction in patients with a sulfa drug allergy.